James Cameron discusses Avatar's longevity as film gears up for re-release
Almost 13 years on from its release, Avatar remains one of the most popular movies of all time. The 2009 science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron is the box office’s highest-grossing film – an achievement it looks like it will only solidify as it prepares for re-release.
A new version of the movie with its visual effects restored in 4K High Dynamic Range will be released in theaters for a two-week run worldwide this September, ahead of the release of its sequel in December. As Avatar embarks on this historical feat, director Cameron has shared his thoughts on why it still remains so popular all these years later.
"I think any film is only as good as the people in it," he says at a recent press conference also attended by main cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver. "And you see in front of you five individuals who brought their hearts and souls to that film."
"I think it took us out of our day-to-day problems," he continues. "It took us out of our day-to-day political discourse and the chaos and disorderliness of real life. And it took us to a place where, yes, there's conflict, there are all sorts of important things going on. But it's all through a lens of fantasy or science fiction. Whatever culture you're in, whether you're in China or Japan, Europe, or North America, it doesn't matter. People saw some universality of their lives and these characters through this lens of science fiction."
The groundbreaking visual effects also helped create this distinction, according to Cameron. "I think in the first few minutes, people just gave up trying to figure out how it was done," he continues. "Because we mixed so many
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